Device and method for treating glaucoma

Abstract

A medical device for treating a patient suffering from glaucoma is adapted to be attached to the globe of the eye of a patient. It includes a distribution plate having a one-way flow valve attached to the anterior end of the plate. The valve is adapted to be placed in communication with fluid to be drained from the intraocular chamber of the eye. There are opposed tab elements that extend outward from each side of the plate at its posterior end. The plate has a predetermined size and shape so that, when attached to the globe of the eye between adjacent rectus muscles with the anterior end from 8 to 10 millimeters from the limbus of the eye, the width of the plate is sufficiently restrictive so that one side is close but not touching one rectus muscle and the other side is close but not touching the other rectus muscle. The length of the plate is sufficiently restrictive so that the posterior end is at least 2 millimeters from the optic nerve of the eye. One tab element is seated beneath one rectus muscle nearby the point where said one rectus muscle is attached to the globe and the other tab element is seated beneath the other rectus muscle nearby the point where said other rectus muscle is attached to the globe.

I claim: 
     
       1. A medical device for treating a patient suffering from glaucoma and adapted to be attached to the globe of the eye of a patient, including a distribution plate having an anterior end, a posterior end, opposed sides extending between said anterior and posterior ends, a curved configuration so that said plate conforms essentially with the spherical shape of the globe of the eye ball, and opposed tab elements that extend outward from each side at said posterior end,   said plate upon being attached to the globe one tab element being seated beneath one rectus muscle nearby the point where said one rectus muscle is attached to the globe and the other tab element being seated beneath the other rectus muscle nearby the point where said other rectus muscle is attached to the globe, and   a one-way flow valve attached to the anterior end of the distribution plate adapted to be placed in communication with fluid to be drained from the intraocular chamber of the eye.   
     
     
       2. The medical device of claim 1 where each side of the plate is less than 0.5 millimeter from an adjacent rectus muscles. 
     
     
       3. The medical device of claim 1 where the total area of the distribution plate inclusive of the surface area carrying the valve is from 240 to 260 square millimeters. 
     
     
       4. The medical device of claim 3 where the valve occupies less than 30 percent of the surface area of the distribution plate. 
     
     
       5. The medical device of claim 1 where the sides slope inward towards each other to a narrow section having a width of from 13 to 15 millimeters, and then slope outward to form said tab elements. 
     
     
       6. The medical device of claim 1 where the anterior end has a width from 13 to 15 millimeters. 
     
     
       7. The medical device of claim 1 where the posterior end of the plate curves inward between said tab elements. 
     
     
       8. The medical device of claim 1 where the tab elements each have a surface area of from 20 to 30 square millimeters. 
     
     
       9. The medical device of claim 1 where the tab elements have rounded tips, said tips being separated by a distance of from 16 to 18 millimeters. 
     
     
       10. The medical device of claim 1 where the one-way flow valve includes a body member holding a pair of overlying elastic membranes in tension to form therebetween an pressure chamber,   said membranes providing an elongated, slit-like opening therebetween, which is normally in a closed position and opens when the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined pressure and returns to the closed position when the pressure in the pressure chamber is below said predetermined pressure, and   an inlet tube in communication with and connected to the pressure chamber at a point remote from the opening.   
     
     
       11. A medical device for treating a patient suffering from glaucoma and adapted to be attached to the globe of the eye of a patient, including a distribution plate having an anterior end, a posterior end, opposed sides extending between said anterior and posterior ends, a curved configuration so that said plate conforms essentially with the spherical shape of the globe of the eye ball, and opposed tab elements that extend outward from each side at said posterior end, sides sloping inward towards each other to a narrow section having a width of from 13 to 15 millimeters, and then slope outward to form said tab elements,   said plate having total area of from 240 to 260 square millimeters and upon being attached to the globe one tab element being seated beneath one rectus muscle nearby the point where said one rectus muscle is attached to the globe and the other tab element being seated beneath the other rectus muscle nearby the point where said other rectus muscle is attached to the globe, and   a one-way flow valve attached to the anterior end of the distribution plate adapted to be placed in communication with fluid to be drained from the intraocular chamber of the eye,   said one-way flow valve including a body member holding a pair of overlying elastic membranes in tension to form therebetween an pressure chamber,   said membranes providing an elongated, slit-like opening therebetween, which is normally in a closed position and opens when the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined pressure and returns to the closed position when the pressure in the pressure chamber is below said predetermined pressure, and   an inlet tube in communication with and connected to the pressure chamber at a point remote from the opening.   
     
     
       12. The medical device of claim 11 where the valve occupies less than 30 percent of the total surface area of the distribution plate. 
     
     
       13. The medical device of claim 11 where the anterior end has a width from 13 to 15 millimeters. 
     
     
       14. The medical device of claim 11 where the posterior end of the plate curves inward between said tab elements. 
     
     
       15. The medical device of claim 11 where the tab elements each have a surface area of from 20 to 30 square millimeters. 
     
     
       16. The medical device of claim 11 where the tab elements have rounded tips, said tips being separated by a distance of from 16 to 18 millimeters. 
     
     
       17. A method for treating glaucoma by draining fluid from the intraocular chamber of a patient's eye, including the steps of (a) providing a medical device including a distribution plate having an anterior end, a posterior end, opposed sides extending between said anterior and posterior ends, a curved configuration conforming essentially to the spherical shape of the globe of the eye ball, and opposed tab elements that extend outward from each side at said posterior end, and   a one-way flow valve attached to the anterior end of the distribution plate having a tube adapted to be placed in communication with the fluid to be drained from the intraocular chamber of the eye,   (b) positioning the device on the globe between adjacent rectus muscles with the anterior end from 8 to 10 millimeters from the limbus of the eye, with the width of the plate being sufficiently restrictive so that one side is close but not touching one rectus muscle and the other side is close but not touching the other rectus muscle, and the length of the plate being sufficiently restrictive so that the posterior end is at least 2 millimeters from the optic nerve of the eye,   (c) inserting one tab element beneath one rectus muscle nearby the point where said one rectus muscle is attached to the globe and inserting the other tab element beneath the other rectus muscle nearby the point where said other rectus muscle is attached to the globe,   (d) placing the tube in communication with the intraocular chamber of the eye so that the fluid drains from the intraocular chamber onto the distribution plate under the control of the valve, and   (e) attaching said device to the globe.   
     
     
       18. The method of claim 17 where the total area of the distribution plate inclusive of the surface area carrying the valve is from 240 to 260 square millimeters. 
     
     
       19. The method of claim 18 where the valve occupies less than 30 percent of the total surface area of the distribution plate. 
     
     
       20. The method of claim 19 where the one-way flow valve includes a body member holding a pair of overlying elastic membranes in tension to form therebetween an pressure chamber, said membranes providing an elongated, slit-like opening therebetween, which is normally in a closed position and opens when the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined pressure and returns to the closed position when the pressure in the pressure chamber is below said predetermined pressure, and   an inlet tube in communication with and connected to the pressure chamber at a point remote from the opening.